[Assignments] Update information for restricted assignment file types.

Idea is currently in development

Problem statement:

When instructors create or edit an assignment and enable file uploads, they have the option to restrict the file type. Below the text box where they enter the file types, they see the following message: "Enter a list of accepted extensions, for example: doc,xls,txt" As doc and xls have not been the default file types for Word and Excel since 2007, we are finding that users who follow your instructions to the letter are restricting students using docx or xlsx file types.

Proposed solution:

The simplest way to fix this would be to update your instructions to the correct file types - docx and xlsx

User role(s):

instructor

2 Comments
rmurchshafer
Community Champion
Problem statement:

When you create an Assignment to be a File Upload, there is an option to Restrict Upload File Type. The help text below it says "Enter a list of accepted extensions, for example: doc,xls,txt". Some instructors see that example and just enter "doc" for Word files. But Word switched it's default format/extension to docx back in 2007, so when they do so most students can't attach their Word files in docx format.

Proposed solution:

I propose changing that helptext to use the current extensions used but Microsoft rather than the ones from 2007. So perhaps change it to Enter a list of accepted extensions, for example: docx,xlsx,txt. Using examples with the current microsoft default extensions makes more sense than using the older ones.

User role(s):

admin

KristinL
Community Team
Community Team
Status changed to: In Development